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Brewery to Open at Covington Arts Building

A brewery will soon occupy 11,000 square feet on Covington's Seventh Street, occupying the space where Covington Arts and an architecture firm currently operate.

Braxton Brewing Company will open production on their new micro-brewery in the fall. "We wanted Braxton Brewing Company to be the first free-standing micro-brewery in Northern Kentucky," said co-founder Jake Rouse. "We look forward to delivering world-class beer and utilizing modern technology to inspire our loyal fans."

Braxton, founded by Jake Rouse, Evan Rouse, Greg Rouse, and Richard Dube, will focus distribution efforts in Kentucky before moving out into the Midwest market. The brewhouse is a twenty-barrel, three vessel system developed specifically by brewmasters Dube and Evan Rouse for the styles of beer the brewery intends to create.

Braxton will showcase its hand-crafted beers to the public in its tap room which will be open to visitors by year's end. In addition to beers on tap, the tap room will also offer beer-to-go, growlers, kegs, and a unique selection of merchandise. The company will also offer a tour program and offer educational opportunities.

"We want our customers to feel as if they have access to the entire brewing experience," Greg Rouse said. "We intend to provide the opportunity for consumers to better understand how craft is produced in a unique and friendly atmosphere."

Dube may be best known to local beer fans as the former brewmaster at Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati. "The Braxton opportunity came to me at the perfect time," Dube said. "The Rouse family has put a tremendous amount of effort into this and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to brew with Evan (Rouse), who I am certain is one of the youngest and most creative professional brewers in America."

"I'm thrilled to be able to design and produce great beers with Richard (Dube)," Evan Rouse said. "His tremendous brewing background, knowledge of quality control, and his passion for teaching make him a great fit for Braxton Brewing."

Neltner Small Batch, a Camp Springs, Ky.-based branding and design agency worked with Braxton on creating its image. "We built the Braxton brand to speak to the Rouse family heritage of hard work and innovation," said Keith Neltner. "Theirs is a unique story and their brand proudly reflects that strength."

Meanwhile, Covington Arts will seek a new home and the architecture firm may move upstairs at the building after a necessary renovation of the long vacant second-floor space, The River City News was told by a City Hall official.

The brewery's move to Pike Street and its autumn target for opening will coincide with the expected fall opening of the Mutual Building's apartments and commercial spaces and will precede The Hotel Covington by several months as Downtown Covington revitalization efforts move forward.